Some College Teams Already Scheming
From Arizona to Ohio State, football coaches are changing course
Every coach in every sport will tell you it’s more about the Jimmys and the Joes — i.e., the talent — than it is about the X’s and O’s — i.e., the coaching.
Still, having some innovative thinkers on the sideline does pay off in the long run.
In that vein, here’s a look at five teams that have made scheme changes from last season.
Arizona
The change: From pass-heavy version of spread to run-heavy version of spread on offense and from 4-3 to 3-3-5 on defense
The buzz: Arizona had one of the best passing attacks in the nation last season, ranking third in pass offense at 370.8 yards per game. The Wildcats were 114th in rushing, though, at just 94.5 yards per game. Expect much higher rushing totals and much lower passing totals this fall as new coach Rich Rodriguez finetunes his read-option version of the spread.
Rodriguez was able to convince defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel to leave West Virginia and head to the Pac-12. Casteel is a big-time proponent of the 3-3-5 defense. One issue this fall: Arizona returns just one full-time starter in the front six. In addition, the secondary was a sieve last season, allowing 298.9 passing yards per game (119th nationally). In the long run, Casteel should make it work. This fall, though, it could get ugly at times.
Ohio State
The change: From a pro-set to the spread offense
The buzz: Ohio State never has been known for its cutting-edge offensive schemes, but it certainly never has hurt the bottom line. This fall, though, the Buckeyes move into the 21st century with new coach Urban Meyer’s version of the spread. QB Braxton Miller looks to be an excellent fit
for the offense; he is both fast and tough as a runner. The big problem this season: There is zero proven offensive skill-position talent around Miller, and the line has been rebuilt as well. As for those who say the spread can’t work in the Big Ten? Think of how successful Joe Tiller was at Purdue running a pass-heavy version of the offense, and Michigan’s offense certainly wasn’t the problem when Rich Rodriguez, whose offense closely mirrors Meyer’s, was the Wolverines’ coach.
Texas A&M
The change: From a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense
The buzz: A&M was excellent against the run (12th nationally, 101.9 yards per game) but horrendous against the pass (109th nationally, 276.3 yards per game) last season. New coach Kevin Sumlin brought in Mark Snyder, who had been coordinator at USF, to oversee the defense, and Snyder has scrapped the 3-4 in favor of the more conventional 4-3 as the Aggies move into the SEC.
A&M’s pass rush should be fine this fall. Everything else is a mystery, though. And as for the secondary that routinely was torched last fall, all four starters are gone.
Texas Tech
The change: From a 4-2-5 set to a 4-3 defense
The buzz: Another year, another scheme change for the Red Raiders’ defense. Tommy Tuberville is entering his third season as Tech’s coach and Art Kaufman will be his third defensive coordinator in that span.
The Red Raiders were last in the nation in rush defense last season and that had to eat at Tuberville, who made his bones as a defensive coordinator. The hope is that by moving to a 4-3, the Red Raiders become stouter against the run. Truthfully, the biggest problem is that the Red Raiders aren’t going to be able to sign as many stud defenders as Tuberville is used to having, meaning the X’s and O’s drawn up on the sideline are going to be vital.
Washington State
The change: From spread to the “Air Raid” offense
The buzz: The “Air Raid” is a variation of the spread, just an extremely passhappy version. New coach Mike Leach took what mentor Hal Mumme did at Kentucky and some other stops, then added to it. While the offense seems complex, it really isn’t. Certain receivers are expected to be in certain places at certain times against certain defenses, and it’s the quarterback’s job to get the ball to the receiver most open.
Heck, Washington State’s offense was productive last season; it was the defense that was the issue. Leach should feel right at home, since that’s the way it was for most of his tenure at Texas Tech, too.